Bhakta 2005 is a single-vintage bourbon finished in a cask of 1975 Armagnac, released as "The Elijah Prophecy". After 19 years and 3 months of total maturation it was bottled at cask strength, 107.4 proof (53.7% ABV), and limited to just 555 bottles worldwide.
Bhakta Spirits was founded by Raj Peter Bhakta, the entrepreneur behind WhistlePig, and it is known for pairing American whiskey with the brand's own collection of rare vintage Armagnacs. This bourbon was distilled in 2005 from a mash bill of 84% corn, 8% rye and 8% malted barley, and over its long life it was aged across three distinct casks and four climates: Tennessee, Indiana, Scotland and Vermont.
Its final stage took place in a single barrel that had held Bhakta 1975 Armagnac, carried out at the Bhakta-Griswold Spirits Library at the brand's college campus headquarters in Vermont. The Armagnac wood adds dried fruit, blood orange and old leather to the deep caramel and charred oak of a nearly 20-year-old bourbon, giving a whiskey that is unusually layered and long.
The presentation reflects its rarity. The tall ribbed decanter carries the BHAKTA name in gold down its side and a gold horse on the stopper, with the vintage, 2005, printed on the base label, and it arrives in a wooden cabinet with a Gothic-arched window and brass clasp.
Tasting Notes
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Finish: Long, semi-dry and evolving, with charred oak, blood orange, well-aged leather and heirloom tobacco.
Specifications
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Producer: Bhakta Spirits
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Style: Bourbon Whiskey, cask strength, Armagnac cask finish
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Expression / Batch: Vintage 2005, "The Elijah Prophecy", 555 bottles
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Age: 19 years and 3 months
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Proof / ABV: 107.4 proof (53.7% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: Finished in a single 1975 Bhakta Armagnac cask
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Region: United States
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
At cask strength, pour a small measure neat and let it breathe before tasting, then add a few drops of water to bring out the Armagnac fruit and soften the oak. A single large ice cube also works. It pairs well with dark chocolate, aged cheeses or a fine cigar. Limited to 555 bottles and presented in its wooden cabinet, it is an exceptional gift for a serious whiskey collector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bhakta 2005 finished in?
A single cask that previously held Bhakta 1975 Armagnac.
How old is it?
It was matured for 19 years and 3 months in total before bottling.
How many bottles exist?
Only 555 bottles were released worldwide.
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